The Organics Division of Imperical Chemical Industries plc was based in Blackley, Manchester. The Organics Division was created in 1972, following the renaming of the Dyestuffs Division. The change of name reflected the fact that the focus of manufacture had shifted to rubbers, pharmaceuticals, resins, paints and other non-dye products.

The Blackley works dates back to 1785 when it was called the Borelle Dyeworks, and was later taken over by the Delaunay family. It remained so until 1865 when Ivan Levenstein acquired the site. He had begun producing aniline dyestuffs in a cottage c1865. Of his many products, the dyestuff 'Blackley Blue' became well-known as a paper dye. In 1883, Levenstein took over the neighbouring works. Later on, in 1919, he merged his business with the British Dyestuffs Corporation.

In 1926 the British Dyestuffs Corporation and three other firms merged to form Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) to face up to competition from German dye manufacturers. ICI lobbied for protection for British dye firms, continuing the support that the British Dyestuffs Corporation had shown for the Dyestuffs (Import Regulations ) Act 1921. In the 1930s the business continued to expand, buying up independents including British Alizarine and Scottish Dyes.

The Dyestuffs Group was headquartered at Blackley, reporting to the London head office. The company also had sites at Huddersfield, Grangemouth, Trafford Park, Derby and Ellesmere Port.

The British Dyestuffs Corporation Ltd. name was kept until 1940 when it became ICI (Dyestuffs) Ltd. After the Dyestuffs Division became the Organics Division, it developed a reputation for innovation, and attracted graduate researchers to Blackley. In 1974, the Hexagon Tower was built there to accommodate researchers.

In 1991, the Division was renamed ICI Specialities, which became part of Zeneca PLC in 1993. In 1999 following a merger with Astra AB, the firm became AstraZeneca PLC. The firm finally left the Blackley site as the company sold its interest in fine chemicals.